Homemade Orangeade with Fresh Squeezed Oranges
This homemade orangeade is made with fresh squeezed oranges. Bright, naturally sweet, and perfectly refreshing, it’s the classic citrus drink that’s been a favorite at county fairs, festivals, and roadside stands for generations.
Make your favorite fair stand beverage at home
There’s always a long line at the fresh squeezed drink stand at every fair. These timeless citrus drinks are famous for their fresh flavor and ability to quench even the hottest summer thirst. As a from-scratch homemaker, I’ve been making the homemade fresh lemonade and old-fashioned orangeade served at these stands in my own kitchen for decades.
The recipe couldn’t be simpler. Freshly squeezed juice is combined with a simple homemade syrup and cold water to create a smooth, refreshing drink that comes together in just minutes. It’s the kind of homemade beverage everyone looks forward to on a warm day. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot summer afternoon, hosting a backyard barbecue, or making the most of a bag of fresh oranges, this easy orangeade is always a welcome treat.
If you’re looking for more refreshing homemade drinks, be sure to try my iced tea from scratch, homemade Arnold Palmer and fresh blueberry lemonade recipes too.
Recipe ingredients
- Oranges: Fresh, ripe oranges are the key to the bright, sweet flavor that makes this homemade orangeade taste just like the fresh squeezed drinks served at county fairs. Choose oranges that feel heavy for their size, which is a good indicator of juiciness. Fruit with smooth, firm skin and a slight give when gently squeezed will yield the most juice and the best flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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How to make homemade orangeade
Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of the water with the sugar. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Do not allow the syrup to boil. Remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature, then pour it into a large pitcher with the remaining water.
Step 2: While the syrup cools, firmly roll each orange across the countertop using the palm of your hand. This helps loosen the membranes inside the fruit, making it easier to extract as much juice as possible.
Step 3: Cut the oranges in half and juice them directly into the pitcher through a fine-mesh strainer. The strainer will catch the seeds, large pieces of white pith, and excess pulp while allowing the fresh orange juice to flow into the pitcher.
Step 4: Remove the seeds and any large pieces of pith from the strainer, then scrape the strained orange pulp into the pitcher. The pulp adds fresh citrus flavor and gives the orangeade the traditional texture found in fresh squeezed fair stand drinks.
Step 4: Stir the orangeade thoroughly until the syrup, water, juice, and pulp are completely combined. Taste the orangeade and add a little more cold water if you prefer a lighter, less concentrated flavor.
Step 5: Fill serving glasses with ice and pour the homemade orangeade over the top. Garnish each glass with an orange slice, if desired, and serve immediately while cold.
Top tips
- Keep Everything Well Chilled: For the most refreshing orangeade, refrigerate the finished pitcher for at least 1 hour before serving. Cold orangeade has a brighter, fresher flavor and stays colder longer when poured over ice.
- Stir Before Serving: Fresh orange pulp naturally settles to the bottom of the pitcher as the orangeade rests. Give it a quick stir before pouring each round of glasses to keep the flavor and texture consistent.
- Freeze Orangeade Ice Cubes: Freeze some of the orangeade in ice cube trays and use those cubes instead of regular ice. They’ll keep each glass cold without watering down the fresh orange flavor.
- Substitute Honey: If you prefer, replace the sugar with ½ cup of mild-flavored honey.
- Use the Best Water: Water makes up most of this drink, so its flavor has a noticeable impact. I use fresh well water, which has a clean, natural taste. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated or has a noticeable flavor, bottled spring water will produce the freshest-tasting orangeade.
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Homemade Orangeade
Ingredients
- 6 cups water separated
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of the water and the sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not boil. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
- Pour the cooled syrup into a large pitcher with the remaining water.
- Juice the oranges through a fine-mesh strainer directly into the pitcher.
- Remove the seeds and large pieces of pith from the strainer, then stir the strained pulp into the pitcher.
- Stir until well combined. Taste and add more water, if desired, for a milder flavor.
- Pour over ice, garnish with orange slices if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the best flavor. Bottled orange juice is not recommended.
- Chill the orangeade for at least 1 hour before serving for the freshest, most refreshing flavor.
- Stir before serving, as the fresh orange pulp will naturally settle to the bottom of the pitcher.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a honey-sweetened variation, substitute ½ cup of mild honey for the sugar and dissolve it in the warm water as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
